Greasepaint Productions took to the Loughborough Town Hall stage for the first time last night (Tuesday) with Sister Act.  Leading Greasepaint's company as Deloris Van Cartier is Dawne B Stewart, who returns to perform with the group for the first time since 2009.

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From the moment Dawne stepped on the stage, she brought the big hair, the big attitude and even bigger vocals.  She smashed numbers such as Take Me to Heaven, Raise Your Voice, Bless Our Show and Sister Act and she oozed professionalism.

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And Dawne did well not to be overshadowed by the many nuns that made composer Alan Mencken's harmonies sound heavenly. The Sisters were, quite simply, brilliant.  They were energetic, well-choreographed and their vocals in numbers such as Benedicta-ta for Now and Here Within These Walls gave me goosebumps. 

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This reporter adored Charlotte Bond's giggly performance as Sister Mary Patrick and Alix Larter was very believable as the shy Sister Mary Roberts.  Stepping into Dame Maggie Smiths shoes is no easy task, but Greasepaint had one of their stalwarts do just this, Linda Moulton.  Linda brought to life the stern, unsmiling Mother Superior and showed off what she was capable of in I Haven't Got a Prayer.

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Though the majority of the cast are female, the men have their part to play too. Steve Duguid was perfectly cast as Curtis and Gareth Wynee was marvellous as Sweaty Eddie.   

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